Magazine ranks University of Alabama law school as 25th best
Tuscaloosa News – March 14
The University of Alabama’s law school is ranked 25th overall among the nation’s top programs in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Graduate Schools” rankings. The rankings, based on data collected in 2018 and early 2019, marks the eighth consecutive year that UA’s Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law has been ranked in the top 30 on the list. UA ranked eighth among public law schools, according to the announcement from the university.
Yellowhammer News – March 14
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – March 13
New Zealand shows America’s mass shootings have global consequences
USA Today – March 15
The Australian suspect who claimed responsibility for the New Zealand shootings that killed at least 49 people in two mosques wrote a 70-page anti-immigrant manifesto calling himself a racist, ethno-nationalist and fascist. He also called President Trump a symbol of “renewed white identity.” … “There’s no doubt that previous mass shooters in the United States have been imitated by shooters in the U.S. and outside it,” said Adam Lankford, a criminal justice professor at the University of Alabama who studies mass shootings, noting “the influence of America culturally and cross-culturally.”
Naples Daily News (Florida) – March 15
App.com – March 15
Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) – March 15
Finger Lakes Times (New York) – March 16
CMG Media Group – March 16
News Bug – March 16
Yahoo! – March 15
Colorodoan – March 15
COLLEGE NEWS: March 10, 2019
Tuscaloosa News – March 10
The University of Alabama recently took home top professional awards from the American Advertising Federation-Tuscaloosa at its 50th American Advertising Awards gala and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education at its District III conference in Atlanta.
NIH to fund University of Alabama study of student aggression, teacher biases
Yellowhammer News – March 17
The National Institutes of Health has awarded the University of Alabama a $2.4 million grant to create interventions to lower aggression in middle-school students and lessen disproportionalities in school discipline. Dr. Sara McDaniel, UA associate professor of education and director of the Alabama Positive Behavior Support Office, will serve as principal investigator for “Reducing Youth Violence and Racism/Discrimination: The Efficacy of Comprehensive Prevention Strategies (CPS).”
Alabama News Center – March 10
Journey to Antarctica: The Dark Art of Coring
Rolling Stone – March 14
The sea pig just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sea pigs (a.k.a. Scotoplanes, a relative of the sea cucumber) look like caterpillars in drag, with flashy horns and bright colors. They live on the deep ocean floor and feast on whale corpses, among other things … It wasn’t until the next morning that Becky Totten Minzoni, a paleoclimatologist at the University of Alabama and head of the ocean core geology team, noticed that in addition to mud and water, the tube contained a sea pig.
Mounting anti-Muslim rhetoric in media contributes to stigmatization
Daily Sabah – March 16
Even in the 21st century when people all over the world including those living in remote places have been connected by globalization and information only a click away, anti-Muslim speech is full of misinformation and hatred still persists in the media … Accordingly, terrorist attacks by Muslim extremists receive 357 percent more U.S. press coverage than those committed by non-Muslims, according to research done by the University of Alabama. Terrorist attacks committed by non-Muslims received an average of 15 headlines, while those committed by Muslim extremists received 105 headlines.
One Way to Take the Sting Out of Student Feedback
Chronicle of Higher Education – March 14
Welcome to Teaching, a free weekly newsletter from The Chronicle of Higher Education. This week … A couple of recent Twitter discussions caught our eye. In each case, a professor posed a question about teaching and learning: Claire Major, a professor of educational leadership, policy, and technology studies at the University of Alabama, asked: “College teachers, how did you learn how to teach?” One response: “Thrown in pool, tried not to drown.” Check out the rest of the replies here.
Several Wiregrass school boards call for AAA’s repeal; say districts are losing out on millions
Dothan Eagle – March 16
Twenty school systems and counting in Alabama have called for the repeal of the 2013 Alabama Accountability Act, a bill that was initially lauded by Alabama lawmakers for enabling “school choice” for students who were zoned in failing school districts … For example, a University of Alabama research study shows that, “On average, over time, participating in the scholarship program was not associated with significant improvement on standardized tests scores.”
Echoes of prior bloodshed seen in New Zealand massacre
The Washington Post – March 16
The deadly attacks on Muslims at Friday prayers in New Zealand marked the latest example of a grim phenomenon: Mass violence followed by revelations that the suspected perpetrator had studied and drew inspiration from previous massacres before opening fire … When attackers reference their predecessors, that typically comes in the form of “celebrity worship,” said Adam Lankford, a criminology professor at the University of Alabama and an expert in mass shootings. Less frequently, he said, people will actually study the tactics and methods used to try to inflict greater carnage.
San Jose Mercury News (California) – March 16
New Zealand shooting shows anti-terror policies should be tough on white supremacists too
The Daily Hunt (Indonesia) – March 16
The deadly attacks on two New Zealand mosques should draw attention to an obvious fact: Terrorists linked to the far right are no less murderous than the Islamist groups that get more headlines and attention from politicians … A recent paper by Erin Kearns of the University of Alabama and her colleagues showed only 12.5 percent of the 136 terrorist acts that occurred in the US between 2006 and 2015 were linked to such groups — but they received more than half of the news coverage. If the perpetrator is a Muslim, the number of stories about the attack increases by 357 percent, the academics calculated.
Twin Cities Pioneer Press (Minnesota) – March 16
The Daily World – March 16
The Exponent Telegram (Clarksburg, West Virginia) – March 16
Charleston Post and Courier (South Carolina) – March 16
Bloomberg – March 15
Welland Tribune (Canada) – March 13
The Waterloo Record (Canada) – March 13
Arca Max – March 15
Alabama researcher: Avoid giving mass killers the celebrity treatment
Al.com – March 17
A few months after teen shooters killed 12 classmates at Columbine High School, Coni Sanders was standing in line at a grocery store with her young daughter when they came face to face with the magazine cover … Adam Lankford, a criminologist at the University of Alabama, who has studied the influence of media coverage on shooters, said it’s vitally important to avoid focusing excessive attention on gunmen.
Should media avoid naming the gunmen in mass shootings?
Vancouver Province – March 17
Critics say giving the assailants notoriety offers little to help understand the attacks and instead fuels celebrity-style coverage that only encourages future attacks … Adam Lankford, a criminologist at the University of Alabama, who has studied the influence of media coverage on future shooters, said it’s vitally important to avoid excessive coverage of gunmen.
The Detroit News – March 17
Vancouver Sun – March 17
Winter Haven News Chief (Florida) – March 17
ABC 6 (Columbus, Ohio) – March 17
Charlotte Observer (North Carolina) – March 17
Saratogian (New York) – March 17
Tucson.com – March 17
WALB (Albany, Georgia) – March 17
Canoe.com – March 17
Centurylink.com – March 17
The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) – March 17
… and many more.
In ‘Nature’: The science of a perfect strawberry
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily (Virginia) – March 11
The old-fashioned strawberry is having a renaissance thanks to new genetic research … The other partner institutions include Michigan State University, University of California – Davis, University of Alabama, University of Arizona and the University of Nebraska.
Stigmatization of the fat ones
Niezalezna (Poland) – March 12
There is nothing to hide that I have been waiting for this text for years. After considering the stigmatization of gays, lesbians and transsexuals, the time has come to deal with the stigmatization of the fat … Its author Rekha Nath from the University of Alabama has taken serious care of this problem with extreme seriousness and passionately argues against this shocking phenomenon.
Closer Look: ATL Mayor Bottoms Talks State of the City; Bias In Media Coverage of Terrorism; Local Vegan Business Owners Roundtable
Atlanta NPR – March 14
Thursday on “Closer Look with Rose Scott” … New research shows the media disproportionately covers stories of terror attacks involving Muslims. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama and Georgia State University, acts of terror committed by Muslims receive 357 percent more media coverage than those committed by other groups of people. What’s behind this imbalance?
Alabama Voices: Every child in Alabama deserves access to a quality education
Montgomery Advertiser – March 12
I firmly believe that every child in Alabama deserves access to a quality education that prepares them for a successful career and fulfilling life … A recent University of Alabama report showed that students on AAA scholarships did better academically overall than low-income students in public schools and took steps toward equaling the performance of all Alabama students regardless of their demographic.
JoBros the PR Pros
Progressions – March 14
If you listen to music, keep up with pop culture or have an Instagram account, you may have heard that the Jonas Brothers are back together. (Emma Bannen is a junior at The University of Alabama, studying public relations, with minors in psychology and communication studies. She is currently a writer and editor for Platform Magazine.)
Win1ners of Young Texas Artists Music Competition entertained and inspired audience
The Woodlands Paper (Texas) – March 14
The 35th annual Young Texas Artists Music Competition culminated on Saturday, March 9, with the highly anticipated Finalists’ Concert & Awards at Conroe’s Crighton Theatre. The event featured CEO of Steinway & Sons Ron Losby, who flew in from New York City, as guest of honor and drew a full house … The award was presented by Young Texas Artists 2019 Judge Diane Schultz, professor of flute, School of Music at The University of Alabama, and Young Texas Artists Board Chairman Richard Griffin.
The Army believes the secret to faster aircraft might be shark skin
Fighter Sweep – March 12
In the never-ending quest to improve the performance of military aircraft, the U.S. Army is testing an unusual material that may make airplanes and helicopters faster and stronger: the skin of the mako shark. New research currently being done at the University of Alabama is exploring why mako sharks can reach unbelievable speeds underwater.
Highly taxed, but road weary: Why Truckers strongly back Alabama’s gas tax increase
Al.com – March 9
When the members of the Alabama Trucking Association got together recently to vote on whether to support a 10-cent increase in the state’s fuel tax, Frank Filgo received his mandate … Steven Polunsky, director of the Alabama Transportation Policy Research Center at the University of Alabama, said he believes that “it’s a given that the increased costs of delivering goods” will be passed along to consumers.
Mindfulness and PTSD: What does the research show?
US Department of Veterans Affairs – March 12
Mindfulness is a hot trend. But is it good medicine for Veterans and others with PTSD? … Dr. Lori Davis is the associate chief of staff for research at the VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She’s also a professor at the University of Alabama Health System in both Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.
The Anatomy of Ghosting
Psychology Today – March 11
Ghosting refers to the practice of ending a relationship by suddenly ceasing all communication, and without providing an explanation. Unfortunately, it’s become an increasingly common method by which to break off a relationship … Now, a new study led by Leah LeFebvre of the University of Alabama sought to shed scientific light on this phenomenon, helping demystify why and how ghosters choose to end a relationship in this manner, and how ghostees experience this method of relationship dissolution.
Study proves: Tattoos are healthy – and that’s why
Maennersache (Denmark) – March 13
Anyone who decides on a t attoo knows: it lasts forever. It is all the more important that the colors that are stung under the skin are non-toxic and the needles hygienic. Nevertheless, one wonders the question of what effect such a tattoo has on the body. Researchers at the University of Alabama have discovered something surprising in a study: tattoos strengthen the immune system!
An American Muslim’s anger after New Zealand
CNN.com – March 15
“49 killed in terrorist attacks on New Zealand mosques,” blared the headline when I turned on my computer this morning … The second: the fact that as quantified by a 2018 study by University of Alabama, terrorist attacks perpetrated between 2006 and 2015 by Muslims receive a stunning 357% more US press coverage than those committed by non-Muslims.
College news: Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Longview News-Journal (Texas) – March 13
Conner Dain Goudarzi of Longview was recently recognized as a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Leadership and Honors Organization at the University of Alabama.
Mineral Symposium 2019: Meteorites set for March 23
Daily Tribune News (Cartersville, Georgia) – March 18
Drawing inspiration from an in-demand special exhibit, Tellus Science Museum’s Mineral Symposium will feature a meteorite theme March 23 … Ongoing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mineral Symposium 2019: Meteorites will include six presenters: Graham Ensor — member of the British and Irish Meteorite Society, “The Mystery of Meteorites — Fabulous Falls and Fantastic Finds”; Dr. Julia Cartwright — University of Alabama, “Making an Impact: Investigating Impacts in our Early Solar System Through Meteorite Analysis.”
Alabama’s deadly tornado ripped through homes and exposed vulnerabilities
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer (Kentucky) – March 10
Connie Moman thought these would be her last moments: huddling in her bedroom closet with her husband and her dog, feeling the wind rattle their double wide trailer, listening to the towering trees in her yard splinter in the tornado’s grip … While praising the initiative, Laura Myers, director of the Center for Advanced Public Safety at the University of Alabama, expressed some skepticism whether residents would follow through. There was a similar effort after the 2011 tornadoes, she said, but retrofitting a home can be difficult.
Y’all Heard? An Argument For The Great Southern Pronoun
WUWF.org – March 9
Listen up, y’all: Perhaps even Yankees should start saying “y’all.” That’s an argument put forth by Catherine Davies, a professor of linguistics at the University of Alabama, in a collection of essays titled Speaking of Alabama: The History, Diversity, Function, and Change of Language (edited by Thomas E. Nunnally). Davies’ essay includes a section with the heading “A Southern Improvement to the Pronoun System.”
New Parkinson’s psychosis drug target of DOJ investigation
Fox 10 (Mobile) – March 10
The US Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the sales and marketing of a drug approved three years ago to help treat Parkinson’s patients suffering from debilitating psychosis … They signal that DOJ is aware of credible allegations of fraud,” said Jim Barger, an attorney who specializes in False Claims Act litigation and a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law.
Cnn.com – March 10
Fox 2 (St. Louis) – March 9
F3 News – March 9
Betsy Day
Progressions – March 13
With March being National Women’s Month, Samford University’s PRSSA Chapter will be showcasing and honoring the wonderful women of public relations. One woman in particular sticks out to us. Betsy Plank, or shall I say “The First Lady of public relations,” hits close to home as she was a graduate from the University of Alabama.
Mystery Man Behind $3.6 Billion in Muni Lawsuits Steps Forward
Bloomberg – March 8
In 2015, Johan Rosenberg was granted U.S. Patent No. 8,935,181 on an unusual invention: software that he claimed could ferret out Wall Street chicanery. With the help of MuniPriceTracker, Rosenberg combed through thousands of deals in the vast U.S. municipal-bond market … Proving the banks worked together to inflate interest rates on the debt will be tough, said Robert Brooks, a University of Alabama finance professor. He compared the situation to four gas stations located on the same corner all charging the same price.
‘Rebuild Alabama’ will solidify state’s economic development gains, Greg Canfield says
Alabama Today – March 12
Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said infrastructure improvements financed by Gov. Kay Ivey’s “Rebuild Alabama” plan would help the state’s economic development team sustain momentum as it seeks to recruit high-caliber jobs and companies … Experts from the Alabama Transportation Institute at the University of Alabama noted in a January 2019 report that inflation, greater fuel efficiency and rising road construction costs have eroded the purchasing power of the fuel tax over time.
UA Law Professor Joyce Vance discusses U.S. Southern Border – Live Interview
MSNBC (National) – March 15
Joining us now to discuss all this, David Corn, Washington Bureau Chief for Mother Jones. Joyce Vance, former U.S. attorney for the northern district of Alabama, and a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law, and Yamiche Alcindor, The White House correspondent for the PBS Newshour. All three are MSNBC correspondents.
Alabama students join local organization to impact 9th Ward clean up
CBS 4 (New Orleans) – March 10
Students from the University of Alabama did their part to help clean up the city this weekend. Officials with the United Saints Recovery Project, a non-profit organization in New Orleans, said crews are almost done removing debris in the Florida -Desire neighborhood thanks to help from the volunteers.
James Clemens wins ‘Top School’ at UA German Day
Madison Record – March 9
James Clemens High School students claimed the title of “Top School” by winning the most awards across all categories at German Day at the University of Alabama. UA professors who teach German hosted the event in the Ferguson Center on March 1.
Paul W. Bryant museum reopens after renovations
WERC-FM (Birmingham) – March 8
The University of Alabama’s Bryant museum is back in business after a brief closure to make major upgrades. These changes allow more people to experience the history of Alabama football.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – March 12
WSFA-NBC (Montgomery) – March 14
UA Graduate School to waive application fee
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – March 8
It’s a small break for students applying for graduate school at the University of Alabama. During free grad app week, the school is waiving the $65 application fee for master’s and doctoral programs from March 18 through March 22. Applicants can complete a short form online to receive a code that will waive the application fee.
Moundville Archaeological Park to host Knap-In
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – March 8
The University of Alabama’s Moundville Achaeological Park wants the community to experience living a simple life. Stone tool makers, bow makers, basket makers, shell carvers, gourd artists, and potters are gathering at the park this weekend to demonstrate arts and technologies once used by Moundville’s native Americans. It’s all part of the 19th annual Knap-in.
Hannah B. from The Bachelorette seen filming promos at UA
KTNV-ABC (Las Vegas) – March 10
According to TMZ, Hannah B. was spotted shooting promos on the University of Alabama’s campus. Hannah graduated from the school two years ago. Things didn’t quite work out for her and Colton this season, but Hannah did make it to the top seven ladies.
WXIN-Fox (Indianapolis) – March 11
WPMT-Fox (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) (video not available) – March 11
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – March 11
Morgan alumni named SGA president at UA
Selma Times-Journal – March 15
A John T. Morgan Academy alumni has been named Student Government Association President at the University of Alabama.
Local achievements for March 15, 2019
Waco Tribune-Herald – March 15
Bryant Carroll, of West, was named to the dean’s list for the fall term at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.